First Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics

FIRST TECH CHALLENGE (FTC), robotics, is a program of exploration for children ages 9-14, which is designed to get children excited about science and technology - and teach them valuable employment and life skills. FTC Core Values are the cornerstones of the FTC program. They are among the fundamental elements that distinguish FTC from other programs. By embracing the core values, participants learn that friendly competition and mutual gain are not separate goals, and that helping each other is the foundation of teamwork. The core values are:

We are a team

We do the work to find solutions with guidance from our mentors and coaches

We know our coaches and mentors don't have all the answers; we learn together

We honor the spirit of friendly competition

What we discover is more important than what we win

We share our experiences with others

We display *Gracious Professionalism* and *Coopetition* in everything we do

We have fun

Each fall, FTC teams around the world are provided with an annual Challenged on firstlegoleague.org. The Challenge is based on a set of real - world problems facing scientists and engineers today. The Challenge has 2 parts: The Robot Game and the Project. In the Robot Game, teams design, build, program, and test autonomous robots using Lego Mindstorms technology. The robots are designed and programmed by team members to perform a series of tasks, or missions, during 2 1/2 minute matches on a playing field (mat) which reflects the real world theme for the season. In the Project, teams research a real-world problem related to the season's Challenge theme. Then they create an innovative solution to that problem (either by creating something that doesn't exist, or by building upon something that does). The teams are expected to share their research/results with others.

FTC at Hillside: On the first day of school at Hillside, announcements are made regarding how to apply for the team. Each team can have up to 10 members. FTC meets at least 2 days/week after school for 2 hours each, increasing to a third day as needed. It is a HUGE commitment for a child; meetings cannot be missed, as kids fall behind quickly and it is unfair to the other team mates to pick up the load.

Here is our most recent publication about our robotics club! Click on the link below!